Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

Lost in America

A documentary that aims to shed light on the situations faced by over 1.3 million American youth...

You may also be interested in

Caret Left
Caret Right
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

Lost in America

Lost in America

Lost in America

Lost in America

Lost in America

A documentary that aims to shed light on the situations faced by over 1.3 million American youth...

A documentary that aims to shed light on the situations faced by over 1.3 million American youth...

A documentary that aims to shed light on the situations faced by over 1.3 million American youth...

A documentary that aims to shed light on the situations faced by over 1.3 million American youth...

Rotimi Rainwater
Rotimi Rainwater
Rotimi Rainwater
Rotimi Rainwater
6 Campaigns |
Sherman Oaks, United States
$12,150 USD 179 backers
67% of $18,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 6 Projects Mountain Filled 6 Projects

Lost in America is a documentary that will shed light on the state of youth homelessness in America. For the past 9 months, Rotimi Rainwater, Steve Vasquez, Jorge Rivera, Chris Dowske, and Brandon Bennet have travelled the country gathering the stories of homeless youth.  We've interviewed members of the House of Representatives, the US Senate, and leaders of local and national organizations dedicated to changing the lives for homeless youth.  

But it all started here.  This past spring we did our first IndieGoGo campaign and it was a great success.  Not only did we meet our goal, but we got the attention of a few key investors that have allowed us to go on many of the trips we've taken. With the help of the masses, we've been able to do this important work. Check out the video below and see for yourself!

  • It is estimated that there are between 1.3 and 2.8 million homeless youth on the streets.
  • 5,000 homeless youth die on the streets every year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide.
  • 40% of America's homeless youth identify as LGBT - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender.
  • There are only 5,000 beds available nationwide for homeless people that classify as "youth."
  • Over 50% of homeless youth in shelters and on the streets report that they were told to leave home by their parents or their parents knew they were leaving and didn't care.
  • The average age a youth becomes homeless is 14.7 years old.

***

Why do these youth take to the streets? There are three main reasons youth end up homeless:
  1. A home for them, simply doesn't exist. Either through a parent or guardian's death or as a circumstance of poverty, they have no home to go to.
  2. Home isn't safe due to either sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
  3. The people at home, don't want them. 40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBT, many of them find themselves on the street as a result of being thrown out of the home after coming out to their families.

***

This film is a very personal journey for all of the team, particularly for Rotimi.  On our first campaign, we asked Rotimi to write a bit about his story, but since we've been filming, we asked him to share his story for us.  Here it is.

So why are we back?  Well we need more help.  We're very close to being finished with production and at this point we can't stop. Why can't we stop, well because these youth are still on the streets; struggling and dying every single day.  So we've come back to ask you, humbly and from the bottom of our hearts, for more help.

The DETAILS:

The entire budget we need to finish production is $35,000.  But we are not asking for that much, well kind of.  What we're asking for, right now, is to shoot the next leg of production which will cost $18,000.  We're asking for this because we can't wait for Hollywood to discover what we're doing, and because quite honestly the youth we're talking to are still on the streets, still trying to survive, and they need people like you, to stand up for them and make people realize that they need help.  So we're making this film piece by piece.  

Our journey will take us all over the country.  First,we'll go back to San Francisco where we will be with a couple, Makayla & Connor who struggle to make it in a city where it's becoming more and more difficult to find safe places to stay. Then we're going to Oregon to hop a freight train with Cecil to truly experience life on the road.  We're going back to Salt Lake City to spend more time with sex trafficking victims as well as going to Denver where we'll meet up with Calub a 17 year forced to live under a bridge because she's not allowed to go home.  Then we're going to Florida or Chicago to tell more stories of these amazing youth who struggle to make it in a country that has forgotten about them.

To the right you will see all of our incentives but we wanted to highlight a few here below. 

  • The Traveler's Journey | $25: This limited perk will give you access to an exclusive club. While on the road, we will be meeting tons of youth that travel the country. We'll ask them to send us pictures from the road and we will put them together in a digital picture book and send them to you.
  • The Spirit Challenge | $35: This limited perk is one that will directly help homeless youth in San Francisco.  On the road we met a 16 year old artist named Stephon through Youth Spirit Art Works an organization who helps homeless youth through art projects.  We have commissioned Stephon to design a t-shirt for us and for every shirt purchase we are going to donate 1/2 the proceeds directly to Youth Spirit Art Works to help them continue their work.

  • Voice to the Voiceless | $100 : Nobody listens to homeless youth so we'll be giving them a voice. We are preparing an event in Washington, DC where we'll give homeless youth and organizations a stage to be heard.  With this perk you will be there, get to be on stage and share your passion.  (Sorry, flights not included)
  • Become An Activist | $250: Want to help the homeless in your city? We'll give you the tools needed to do this! This perk will give you an advance copy of the film as well as posters and tips on hosting a successful fundraiser. Any money you collect from the fundraiser can be used to feed the homeless in your city or donated to a local charity of your choice!
  • The Premier Package | $500 : You will get 2 tickets to our LA premier and red carpet event as well as admittance to the premier party!

Other Ways You Can Help

Now we understand that not everyone can donate.  So what else can you do to help?  

  • Please help us spread the word about our campaign.  Email your friends, post on your page, share, share, share!!!  
  • We thank you so much for everything.  And please remember, were doing this because someone has to give a voice to these youth.  Please help us.
Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
Need more information
Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

featured

The Spirit Perk

$35 USD
Get the special edition LIA T-shirt designed by Stephon of which 1/2 the proceeds will go directly to Youth Spirit Art Works. You'll also get the picture book, a special thank you from the director, and weekly updates.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
18 claimed

I Just Want to Help!!

$10 USD
Everything helps especially for the youth and our journey. For this you will receive our eternal gratitude and a special thanks from us and your name will appear on our special thanks list on our Facebook and website.
17 claimed

LIA Updates

$15 USD
This is the best way to stay updated on everything we're doing. You'll get a weekly email from our director and team with all the updates on what we're doing. We'll also add you to our blog list where you can see all the beautiful stories as we're telling them as well as pictures from the road. You'll also receive our special thanks online.
7 claimed

The Traveler's Journey

$25 USD
Youth on the streets often refer to themselves as travelers. And sometimes they take amazing pictures from their journeys. We'll compile an digital picture book of some of their amazing pictures as well as their stories; in their own words. You'll receive this perk within 8 weeks of the end of production. It will be a beautiful expression of their journeys and their stories. You'll also receive our updates and special thanks.
32 claimed

The Traveler's Message

$25 USD
Get a digital video message from the director thanking you for your help. As well, you'll receive a personal tweet and online thank you from our director. You'll also be included in the special thanks page and our weekly updates.
6 claimed

The Digital Journey

$50 USD
Get a digital version of the film as well as the digital picture book, The Traveler's Journey. You'll also be included in our digital updates and special thanks.
8 claimed

We'd Be Lost Without You

$50 USD
For an additional $50 (you must have paid for another perk), you can have your name added to the "With out these people, the film would not have been possible" credits of the film. This is a special way to continue helping our journey as well as see your name on the film. You'll also receive a special personal thank you from the director, and the weekly updates.
4 claimed

Special Thanks Credit

$100 USD
You will be added to a list at the end of the film that says it all. That says, "With out these people, the film would not have been possible". This is our special thanks list, and you will be on it. You'll also receive a digital version of the film, the Travelers Package, our special thanks, and weekly updates.
13 claimed

Voice to the Voiceless

$100 USD
Nobody listens to homeless youth so we're giving them a voice. We are preparing an event in Washington, DC where we'll give homeless youth and organizations a stage to be heard. With this perk you will be there, get to be on stage and share your passion. It will be a historic day, and you can be there. (Sorry, flights not included) You'll also receive a personal thank you from our director as well as weekly updates.
2 out of 20 of claimed

Director's Skype

$150 USD
A personal Skype with director Rotimi Rainwater? He'll share his story with you or your organization. You'll also be added to the "With out these people, the film would not have been possible" list, and get a personal thank you, weekly updates, and the Travelers Journey digital packet, along with a digital version of the film.
1 out of 10 of claimed

Become an Activist

$250 USD
Want to help the homeless in your city? We'll give you the tools needed to do this! This perk will give you a DVD copy of the film as well as posters and tips on hosting a successful fundraiser. Any money you collect will be used to help homeless youth in your city! We'll promote your event and give you special space on our website. You'll also be added to the "With out these people, the film would not have been possible" credits as well as everything else.
1 out of 10 of claimed

The Inspired Activist

$300 USD
This is the Activist package with one added bonus, a live personal Skype introduction from director Rotimi Rainwater thanking everyone in attendance and introducing the film. Along with this you'll be included on the "With out these people, the film would not have been possible" credits and receive the Travelers Package, a special, special thanks, a digital version of the film, and weekly updates.
1 out of 10 of claimed

The Premier!!!

$500 USD
You will get 2 tickets to our LA premier and red carpet event as well as admittance to the premier party! You'll also be included on the "With out these people, the film would not have been possible" credits, get the Travelers package, a digital and hard copy of the film as well our special thanks and weekly updates.
1 claimed

Associate Producer

$1,000 USD
Ok, everyone puts something like this up. But instead of Hollywood speak, this is where we are asking for Angels. We are asking for those special people who can help us tell this story and truly bless our journey. You will get an associate producer credit in the beginning of the film, not tucked away somewhere in the back, but in the beginning letting everyone know that we truly couldn't have made this with out you. Thank you.
2 out of 10 of claimed
Tags for this project

You may also be interested in

Up Caret